UBC Okanagan Enhances Mental Health Support for Students with New Services

UBC Okanagan has introduced enhanced mental health support for students at the Student Health Clinic, following the addition of a clinical psychologist in 2023. Students facing anxiety or depression can now receive immediate appointments with a psychologist, streamlining access to care.

Kristen Zentner, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, emphasizes the significance of having a psychologist nearby, stating, "The number one point of access for mental-health support is the primary care provider." This approach aims to simplify the process for students seeking help.

The initiative aligns with World Mental Health Day's theme, Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change. Zentner and her colleagues from Dr. Lesley Lutes’ Centre for Obesity and Well-Being Research Excellence (CORE lab) focus on studying mental health access and outcomes.

Dr. Lutes established the CORE lab after moving to UBCO in 2015 with the goal of integrating psychological services into healthcare, following a successful model from the U.S. The clinic now hosts a psychologist one day a week, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the BC Knowledge Development Fund. Initial assessments involve a 45-minute session to develop treatment plans, with follow-ups tailored to individual needs.

Research conducted by clinical psychology doctoral students, including Kristen Zentner and Aidan O’Callahan, has documented improvements in mental health through the clinic's services. A separate thesis by Emily Bissonnette highlighted high satisfaction levels with the psychologist's presence. Additionally, billing for the psychologist’s services through students’ health plans has been implemented as a permanent measure.

Moreover, since 2022, the CORE team has collaborated with Interior Health Authority to improve mental health protocols in emergency departments. Initial evaluations revealed that suicide screenings were conducted less than 10 percent of the time, but with new guidelines, that rate has increased to around 30 percent.

Zentner conducted surveys with patients and healthcare providers, uncovering a shared desire for holistic treatment. Aidan O’Callahan, who has firsthand experience as an emergency medical technician, contributed by analyzing over 1,500 patient charts related to mental health and substance use.

The CORE lab's research also includes studies addressing the mental health needs of wildfire evacuees, led by master's student Brittany Barber. Preliminary findings indicate elevated anxiety and depression levels in those affected by wildfires.

On World Mental Health Day, O’Callahan expresses a hopeful message, stating, “If we can instil a little bit of hope, I think that’s important.” Dr. Lutes shares similar optimism about her students’ commitment to enhancing mental health care access and equity in Canada.

For support, individuals can contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 or access confidential counseling through here2talk.ca, available 24/7 for BC post-secondary students.